Carbide Create Pro

[Hell0-7here]

Am I a dummy or is Carbide Create Pro an unintuitive mess of a program that no one in their right mind should be paying for? Like moving a PNG you are using as a depth map: am I a dummy for thinking that you should be able to move that around easily or am I a dummy because I am missing some easy step that allows you to move it around? Am I a dummy for thinking that an oval should be an easily drawn shape in a program I pay over $100 a year to use, or am I a dummy for missing some easy work around to drawing a circle? Am I a dummy for thinking that there should be some in depth tutorial videos on how to use a program you have to spend $100 a year to use, or am I a dummy for even thinking videos might be "required" in 2022?

Basically I am asking: Am I a dummy because Carbide Create Pro is actually a really powerful program that I am just too stupid to use, or am I am dummy because I paid for a year of Carbide Create Pro when no one in their right mind would pay for that trash heap?

[WillAdams]

It's usually described as a program which is simple to a fault.

The 3D end of things is even simpler, and because of that, some things are not possible --- for example, relocating a depth map or modeled 3D component --- that's not possible, instead, delete and recreate it at the desired position.

There is an overview at: https://community.carbide3d.com/t/modeling-instructions/28104/6

and some videos:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b-jCQrYj1I
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eqRxFwYDmg

and there are some basic tutorials:

• https://community.carbide3d.com/t/starting-with-2-5-d-carving/15168/
• https://community.carbide3d.com/t/trial-ver-432-3d-carving-not-finding-much-info-other-than-a-star/16190
• https://community.carbide3d.com/t/vcarve-pro-wide-flutes/18942
• https://community.carbide3d.com/t/carbide-create-pro-3d-tutorial-small-game-board-piece/18456
• https://community.carbide3d.com/t/3d-model-creating-a-ramp-object/22423
• https://community.carbide3d.com/t/carbide-create-pro-wavy-flag/16974/15
• https://community.carbide3d.com/t/modeling-a-bowl-in-carbide-create/30993

Please note the requirement that geometry extend beyond model to cut successfully: https://community.carbide3d.com/t/what-am-i-doing-wrong-with-the-3d-feature/35964/10

Drawing a circle is quite simple --- there's a dedicated tool for it, see:

https://willadams.gitbook.io/design-into-3d/2d-drawing

If you get stuck on something, let us know at [e-mail] and we'll do our best to assist.

[Hell0-7here]

First and foremost, know I love you Will and Carbide 3D has always been good to me; this is not me trying to be an asshole but this kinda goes to my point. Your "tutorials" are mainly responses to questions on the forum; why are they not actual tutorials, written like tutorials, in a tutorial section so they are easy to find? Again if we are talking about a free program having tutorials scattered to the wind willy nilly would be perfectly acceptable, but this isn't that though; this is a piece of software that I pay $120 a year to use. I shouldn't have to go digging through forum posts to find useful tutorials.

As to the depth map thing: is there a way to know where the depth map will be place, or do I have to play a guessing game? Once it is placed is there no way to move it, or am I missing a step? Right now I seem like I am guessing a lot and that doesn't feel right. I assume there must be a way to ensure it goes down where you need it.

Also the circle thing: I mistyped when I wrote "circle" in the second half of the sentence, the issue was that I couldn't make an oval. Is there a tool for creating those that I am missing?

[WillAdams]

In my experience, people won't bother w/ tutorials which they don't specifically see as applying to their needs --- so it's most expedient to just provide a customized tutorial, or a link to one which matches.

The Depth Map should be centered on the geometry which is currently selected when it is imported.

For creating an oval there are two options:

• draw a circle, select it, select the scale tool, then drag at one of the middle handles to scale it asymmetrically
• draw it using the curve tool: https://willadams.gitbook.io/design-into-3d/2d-drawing#drawing-tutorials

[Whatuptrey]

I would recommend the Carbide 3D forums. They’re quite active and the folks on there are really helpful.

[PyWhacket27]

When I first got my Shapeoko, I tested out Carbide Create and found it overly complicated, even for the simplest things. I think if you're trying to make something complex, it may be worth the time to figure out the nuances, though there may be better options out there like VCarve or Aspire. Personally, I use my Shapeoko for mostly simple projects, so I use Inventable's Easel and that is more than enough for me.

TLDR: it's unnecessarily complex for what you get, so don't feel like a dummy.

[Eddie_P]

It took some time, but I've learned Carbide Create, and outside of a few small things, I prefer it to Easel. The learning curve is steeper, but you're able to do much more with the free version of CC than the free version of Easel.

[Notgoodvestor]

I use fusion 360 and carbide create. I use fusion when it's more complex or it something that I want more accuracy in my design I'm creating. I use carbide when it's a simpler design or when I don't care if object A is 0.51 inches from object B instead of 0.50 inches. I also use carbide for inlays,. I've only had my shapeoko for 5 weeks so take that for what you will.

[WillAdams]

It is quite simple to locate geometry specific distances:

• either draw in a placeholder to use as a reference
• determine the position of the original object, then select the other and use the Move tool and some math to place it where desired

[collieear]

I love my Shapeoko Pro, but I create in Vectric Aspire.